Thailand heads into polls with burning cannabis issue in limbo

FILE PHOTO-Tourists shop cannabis at the RG420 cannabis store, at Khaosan Road, one of the favourite tourist spots in Bangkok, Thailand, July 31, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand is heading into election season with its key cannabis legislation in limbo, guaranteeing that last year's chaotic decriminalisation of the plant will be a campaign issue amid a boom in the sale and consumption of marijuana products.

Thailand's parliament on Thursday concluded its final session on the cannabis draft bill before the election, expected on May 7, but failed to endorse it, leaving the country without an umbrella law to regulate the use of the substance.